Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment for Knee Pain - Acupuncture Relieves Knee Pain and Soreness

Before Knee Pain, Let’s Talk About Trends

What do fashion and knee pain have in common?

A decade ago, sneakers were not considered office-appropriate. In Central, countless stylish office ladies hurried through the bustling streets in three-inch heels—sometimes even sprinting in them. Back in their twenties, many wore high heels effortlessly. Now, in their thirties and forties, discomfort is setting in. Even half-inch leather shoes can cause problems. Climbing stairs becomes painful, and sudden soreness or weakness can make it difficult to stand.

Today, the trend has shifted. High heels are seldom seen in Central, replaced by fashionable yet comfortable sneakers. But the number of women suffering from knee pain has not decreased. Why? Because another trend has taken over: fitness.

Exercise, when done correctly, strengthens the body and supports weight management. Yet excessive or improper training can injure cartilage and strain tendons. Once damaged, cartilage cannot regenerate. Many women, swept up in the fitness craze, jump into intense aerobic and strength workouts without prior experience. Without gradual progression or proper guidance, the result is often injury—ironically, in the pursuit of health.

Human Evolution Can’t Keep Up with Fashion

High heels force the knees to bear the body’s full weight. They destabilize the heels, tighten foot and leg muscles, impair gait stability, and place immense pressure on the knee joints. Over time, this can accelerate cartilage wear and ligament degeneration.

Obesity adds another layer of burden, making it one of the most common causes of chronic knee pain. For such patients, treatment must go hand in hand with weight management to achieve lasting relief.

Treating Knee Pain with Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treats knee pain through syndrome differentiation, tailoring therapy to the patient’s specific condition. Acupuncture and moxibustion have proven especially effective for both strain-related and degenerative knee pain.

Take the case of Ms. Li, a 45-year-old patient of Dr. Tsang. With a history of weight issues and years of wearing high heels, she endured knee pain for more than a decade, especially when climbing stairs and slopes. After just three acupuncture sessions, her pain disappeared when taking the stairs.

Mandy, aged 54, initially sought Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment for unrelated concerns. She casually mentioned years of intermittent knee discomfort. After only two acupuncture treatments, her pain was cut in half.

Strengthening Knees Through Proper Exercise

While improper exercise can cause injury, the right kind of training is highly beneficial. The quadriceps—the large muscles at the front of the thighs—are the knees’ best ally. Strengthening them not only improves leg shape but also enhances stability, endurance, and pressure distribution in the knee joints. This protects against injury and helps prevent knee pain.